Tracing Intelligent Logistics Objects (TiLO)

In future logistics systems will acquire information without the use of scanners. The technologies currently in use are often slow and cost-intensive and require special processes to collect data securely when handling material flows. This concept of a “scanner free warehouse” opens up a whole new quality of identification and surveillance for logistics objects.

The Ruhr Region, in particular, is home to many logistics service providers and logistics enterprises operating in large spaces, some of them in their own logistics parks. The vast majority of the block storage is managed manually so there is a lot of potential for workflows to be improved and for gaining efficiency benefits. New technologies are able to collect and manage all relevant processes in the logistics systems. This will make it possible to use information technology much more efficiently in many areas in future. It can be applied not only to optimize stacker guidance systems or warehouse management systems – but also for buffer zones and transshipment areas. Goods receipt and goods issue can also be controlled and managed in real time using this.
Scanner-free information acquisition offers great potential for rationalizations in a series of further application areas too:

In maintenance, processes can be traced and recorded in real time so costs can be reduced through the remote maintenance of logistics plants (for example paint shops, assembly systems, production plants).

New algorithms and control procedures can be implemented to control logistics systems because information about objects outside the automated areas can also be processed. New methods for commissioning logistics systems can also be introduced because the new technologies can record data over longer periods and the influence of unusual incidents can be assessed more easily.

Objective of the project

The objective of TiLO is the utilization of highly innovative, modern information systems (cameras, active RFID technology, etc.) for the design and operation of logistics systems. Additional information will also be generated in order to reduce the cost and effort involved in tracing logistics objects as well as for acceptance, maintenance and controlling complete logistics systems. At the same time, an innovative standard for acquiring and processing information in logistics will be developed. With the help of this analysis system information from moving images will be independently generated, evaluated and delivered. Scanning and reading processes can be done away with completely – a substantial contribution to increased efficiency. As the camera-based analysis systems can recognize and avoid errors and mistakes at a very early stage, they can also be used for the continuous, customized surveillance of technical systems.

Specific Innovations

Within the scope of the project, demonstrators are developed for specific application fields. They follow a concept tailored to the respective conditions using the technology for synchronized film evaluation comprising both software and hardware components. Moreover, it is possible to carry out automatic evaluations of individual processes and complete material flow systems on the basis of key figures. New software modules are used to collect and evaluate data gathered by video, RFID transponder, sensors or other information sources and are also used for the data processing and to control and evaluate entire systems.

Partners in the Project

Caltronic International GmbH

Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft für Oberlächenbehandlung e.V.

DEWIS GmbH

Lufapak GmbH

Schenker Deutschland AG

SDZ SimulationsDienstleistungsZentrum GmbH

w3logistics AG

Transport Systems and Logistics, University of Duisburg-Essen

Innovative, camera-based analysis systems will make tracing logistics objects faster, more reliable and more cost-effective.